Variable flushing control unit attachment for a toilet

ABSTRACT

A low cost variable flushing control unit attachment for existing toilets which effects optimum flushing or clearing of the toilet bowl with a minimum amount of water. The attachment kit retains full discharge capability for the toilet tank, yet provides a means for the homeowner to pre-set for his particular toilet the best and most satisfactory quantity of water that will be discharged to the bowl for those flushes that do not require total discharge. After use of the toilet, the user selects the most cost-effective flush mode that will completely clear the bowl. Once triggered by the user, the attachment kit reliably controls closing of the tank outlet valve and automatically resets itself.

Unlted States Patent 1191 1111 3,885,253

Overbey May 27, 1975 [5 VARIABLE FLUSHING CONTROL UNIT 3,538,519 11/1970Weisz 4/67 A 3,561,014 2/1971 Johnson.....

ATTACHMENT FOR A TOILET 3,775,778 12/1973 Lee 4/67 A Inventor:

Filed:

Appl. No.: 442,081

Charles A. Overbey, 16 Bougainvillea Dr., Cocoa Beach, Fla. 32931 Feb.12, 1974 U.S. Cl. 4/67 A; 4/57 P; 4/37;

Int. Cl E03d l/34; E03d 5/02; E03d 5/10 Field of Search 4/67 A, 67 R, 57R, 57 P,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary ExaminerHenry K. Artis [57] ABSTRACT A low cost variable flushing control unit attachment forexisting toilets which effects optimum flushing or clearing of thetoilet bowl with a minimum amount of water. The attachment kit retainsfull discharge capability for the toilet tank, yet provides a means forthe homeowner to pre-set for his particular toilet the best and mostsatisfactory quantity of water that will be discharged to the bowl forthose flushes that do not require total discharge. After use of thetoilet, the user selects the most cost-effective flush mode that willcompletely clear thebowl. Once triggered by the user, the attachment kitreliably controls closing of the tank outlet valve and automaticallyresets itself.

3 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEB W27 I975 SHEET 1 OI 2 FIG. 1

FIG. 4

} FIG. 2

FIG. 5

FIG. 3

PATEN 1mm SHEET 2 a; 2

FIG. IO

FIG. 9

r do! rl |i/ |-|Il/ FIG. I2

FIG/H VARIABLE FLUSHING CONTROL UNIT ATTACHMENT FOR A TOILET The presentinvention relates to a variable control unit attachment for optimumclearing or flushing of toilet bowls.

More particularly, the invention permits an election to be made by theuser of the toilet as to whether a complete emptying of the toilet tankis necessary to satisfactorily and completely clear the toilet bowl. Thevariable control unit attachment provides a means for the user of thetoilet to select and effect a toilet bowl flushing mode that willcompletely clear the bowl in the most cost-effective manner.

Present toilets impose a requirement that the user discharge the entiretoilet tank into the bowl, even though in most instances such totaldischarge is not required to accomplish the task of completely clearingthe bowl. This causes an inordinate amount of water to be wastednationwide each day and increases water procurement and treatment coststo municipalities, increases direct utility costs to homeowners andothers, and requires larger and more costly sewage treatment andhandling facilities. With the present invention, such losses areeliminated or are negligible.

For those instances where a full discharge of the toilet tank is notnecessary for complete clearing of the bowl, the invention provides ameans for a homeowner to pre-determine the quantity of water necessaryto most efficiently clear the bowl of his particular toilet and to thenset an adjustable feature of the variable control unit attachment tocontrol discharge of that quantity. The variable control unit attachmentwill then reliably repeat the performance each succeeding time anytoilet user calls on it to do so.

In operation, a person makes an election after using the toilet as towhether or not a full discharge of the toilet tank is necessary tocompletely clear the bowl. Assuming the need is for a partial tank, hesimply operates the conventional flush handle and by use of a meanswhich is a part of the attachment kit he triggers the variable controlunit attachment. The attachment then automatically reproduces a flushsimilar to the type determined by the homeowner as being the mostefficient and costeffective flush that will accomplish complete clearingof the bowl. The attachment incorporates a means for resetting itselfwithout further attention on the part of the user so it is ready for thenext use.

Other methods and customary apparatus for conserving water when a toiletis flushed are:

By adding one or more discharge valves within the tank, by addingdischarge valves on standpipes or branches at different levels in thetank, by adjustment of the total quantity of water in the tank throughthe placement of one or more bricks in the tank, or by adjusting thelevel at which the float closes the ballcock that admits water to thetank.

These methods have the following distinct disadvantages: the addition ofdischarge valves in the tank, proper, or the addition of standpipeshaving discharge valves decreases the total overall reliability of thedischarge system. As the number of valves increase, there is acorresponding increase in nuisance leakages. Some designs requirespecially manufactured tanks to accommodate added valves or theiroperating means. Placement of a brick or bricks in the tank conserveswater in those instances where a full tank is not needed; however, thissignificantly reduces the efficiency of clearing the bowl when there isa need for a full tank discharge. Such ineffective clearing of the bowlalso may occur if the water level in the tank is adjusted below thelevel recommended and marked in the tank by the toilet manufacturer.There are other variations of the above methods and apparatus, but theyall offer substantially the same disadvantages. It is worthy to notethat none of these present systems has proved to be so effective as togain universal acceptance and broad use.

An object of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantagesand provide a low cost variable control unit attachment that will clearthe bowl, conserve water and save utility costs for homeowners and thosehaving toilet facilities serving the public, such as service stationsand restuarants.

Another object is to save potable water processing and procurement costsand sewage treatment costs for municipalities.

Another object is to provide a means for election by the user as towhether there will be a complete or partial emptying of the tank whenthe bowl is completely cleared.

Still another object is to provide a system with no additional valves,and which will reliably repeat its performance after being triggered bythe user, and without a need for any further attention by the user.

A further object is to provide an attachment having a means toautomatically reset itself.

A still further object is to reduce duration of the sounds attendant torefill of the toilet tank.

Another object is to provide a variable control unit attachment in kitform that may be easily installed in conventional toilets in wide usewithout making extensive changes.

Another object is to provide a means within the attachment whereby ahomeowner may pre-adjust the depth to which his particular toilet tankwill empty so that he may realize optimum savings for his particulartoilet.

Another object is to provide a means for triggering operation of theattachment by sole use of the existing conventional toilet flush handleand/or by a separate triggering means.

In addition to the foregoing, the invention is simple and reliable. Itis long lasting, requires no extensive plumbing changes, is low ininitial cost, is easy to use and requires no attention on the part ofthe user.

These and other advantages will become more apparent from the followingspecification and the accompanying illustrative but not restrictivedrawings.

FIG. 1 is a cutaway front elevational view showing the variable controlunit attachment installed in a conventional toilet tank.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the energy cell race and its support structure.I

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the energy cell race and its supportstructure.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the energy cell.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the energy cell.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the adjustable retaining device shown in FIGS.7 and 8.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the adjustable retaining deviceshown in FIGS. 6 and 8.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the adjustable retaining deviceshown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is a front partial elevational view showing a portion of theenergy cell release mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a partial elevational cross-sectional view taken along theline l10 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an elevational view showing an alternate type of energy cell.

FIG. 12 is an elevational view showing an alternate top-mountedadjustable retaining device.

With reference to FIG. 1, a conventional toilet tank assembly designatedgenerally by reference numeral is illustrated with the present inventionincorporated as a part of the overall system. The tank lid, theconventional ballcock and float, and the pull chain to flapper/- ball 16when it is in the open or up position are omitted for clarity. Thereference numeral 12 designates a conventional outlet valve seatassembly at the bottom of the tank. The reference numeral 14 designatesa conventional tank water overflow standpipe which is conventionallysupported by and attached to the outlet valve seat assembly 12. Thereference numeral 16 designates one type of conventional valveflapper/ball which is shown in its closed or seated position and in itsopen position. The conventional valve opening mechanism includes a pullchain 18, a lever 20 and a handle 22. The variable control unitattachment is designated generally by reference numeral 24 and is shownmounted on standpipe 14.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the variable control unit attachment 24includes the following: A means for guiding an energy cell is providedby the energy cell race designated by reference numeral 26. Although acylinder is shown herein any suitable means for guidance may be used. Ameans for application of kinetic and static forces to close the tankoutlet valve is provided by a buoyant energy cell designated generallyby reference numeral 28. A means for retaining the energy cell so it maynot travel unless released to do so is provided by an adjustableretaining device designated generally by reference numeral 30. Thisretaining device 30 functions primarily as a stop for limiting downwardtravel of the buoyant energy cell 28. A means for automatic reset isalso provided by adjustable retaining device 30, described in moredetail hereinafter. A means for triggering operation of the variablecontrol unit attachment 24 is provided by a triggering mechanismdesignated generally by reference numeral 32.

A hole 34 near the top of energy cell race 26 has a lanyard 36, which isa part of the triggering mechanism 32, passing through it. Thehorizontal broken lines designated by reference numerals 38, 40, 42 and44 are imaginary lines indicating tank water levels. Tank water levelwith a full tank is designated by reference numeral 38. Tank water levelwith an empty tank is designated by reference numeral 40. Approximatetank water level when the energy cell 28 is just starting to closeflapper/ball 16 is designated by reference numeral 42. Approximate tankwater level after the energy cell 28 has imposed controlling forces onflapper/- ball 16 so that it has closed is designated by referencenumeral 44.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the energy cell race 26 has a supportstructure 27 to facilitate its mounting in the toilet tank on standpipe14 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The support structure 27 may be of plasticor metal with a split 46 running its length as shown in FIG. 2. Split 46enables support structure 27 to be conveniently slipped over theexisting standpipe l4, and be adjustable both vertically androtationally. Although this method of mounting is described, it can alsobe accomplished by many other simple mechanical means. The energy cellrace 26 has an aperture 48 in its side to permit proper operation of theadjustable retaining device 30, shown generally in FIG. 1, in a mannerto be more fully described hereinafter. Energy cell race 26 has a smallhole 34 near its top to serve as a guide for a lanyard. FIG. 1illustrates a lanyard 36 passing through this hole 34.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the energy cell 28 is a tubular shapedcontainer 50 with the bottom end 52 closed. The top end is adapted toreceive a removable closure 54. An imaginary line representing the topsurface of water placed inside of tube 50 is designated by referencenumeral 56. By varying the quantity of water inside of tube 50, thehomeowner may vary the forces induced by the energy cell andaccordingly, vary the closing of the toilet tank outlet valve. Althoughuse of water is described, small weights may be used in the energy cellto produce the desired variation of water level at which the tank outletvalve closes.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate an adjustable retaining device 30 whereinthe sleeve 58 has a split 60 to permit longitudinal and rotationaladjustment of the adjustable retaining device 30 on energy cell race 26.In further reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, attached to sleeve 58 is acombination stop and pivot support structure 62. Hinge pin 64 serves asa pivot point for a releasable latch or stop 66 which is of suchdimension as to permit its end 68 to penetrate through the aperture 48of energy cell race 26 illustrated in FIG. 3. It may be clearly seen inFIGS. 6 and 8 that this penetration of end 68 is adequate to restraindownward travel of energy cell 28 provided its bottom end 52 is aboveend 68 of releasable latch 66. In operation, the top end of energy cell28 never gets below end 68 of releasable latch 66. During descent andascent of energy cell 28 in energy cell race 26, the end 68 orreleasable latch 66 rides on the outer surface of energy cell 28. Asshown in FIGS. 7 and 8 releasable latch 66 incorporates a hole 70 tofacilitate attachment of an actuating means, such as a lanyard ormechanical linkage. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 the reference numeral 72designates a stop which limits travel of releasable latch 66 when it isoperated. Referring to FIG. 8 another stop is the general area 74 ofsleeve 58, wherein post 76 of releasable latch 66 abuts against it.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show one form of a means for triggering operation of theattachment. In FIGS. 9 and 10 a conventional toilet tank front wall 77has mounted on it a small clip 78 near existing handle 22. The handle 22is omitted from FIG. 10 for clarity. Also, the tank lid is omitted fromboth FIGS. 9 and 10 for clarity. Clip 78 shims up the tank lid slightlynear one corner, but this is not noticeable to the eye. Clip 78 has legs79 which are sprung inward at manufacture. When installing clip 78 thelegs 79 are deformed outwardly so clip 78 is held in place on tank wall77 by friction and pressure from legs 79. Lightweight trigger ring 80 isconnected to lanyard 36 which runs through hole 82 in clip 78. As showngenerally in FIG. 1, the other end of Ianyard 36 connects with theadjustable retaining device 30. Specifically, the other end of lanyard36 is connected at hole 70 of releasable latch 66 shown in detail inFIGS. 7 and 8. Although a combination of a trigger ring and lanyardsystem are shown herein as a means of operating the releasable latch,there are many release means available which are suitable and whichoffer convenience, such as use of a small lever, a sliding button, or apush button connected mechanically to the releasable latch. Further, ifdesired, the existing handle 22 and existing lever 20 shown in FIG. 1may be used as a triggering means by providing mechanical communicationbetween existing lever 20 and the releasable latch 66 and adding a smallspring in existing pull chain 18 so that existing lever 20 is enabled totravel further after the flapper/ball 16 makes contact with energy cellrace 26.

FIG. 11 illustrates one alternate type of energy cell. This energy cellcomprises a shaped tube 84 open at bottom end 86. Near its top itcontains a buoyant material 88, such as foamed plastic, with one or morevent holes 90 such that air will not be trapped in cavity 92. To varythe kinetic and static forces that will be exerted by this type ofenergy cell the homeowner varies the quantity of buoyant material 88,which is furnished with the kit in a close fitting wafer form. Althoughenergy cells in cylindrical form are shown, any shape may be used.

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate type of adjustable re taining deviceconfigured for mounting near the top of energy cell race 26 andcomprising a longitudinally and rotationally adjustable split sleeve 94,a support arm 96, a pivot 98, a releasable latch 100, another pivot 102and an actuating means 104. In the retaining mode releasable latch 100rests on the top edge of energy cell race 26 at point 106 and restrainsdownward travel of the energy cell which has its top modified byaddition of a necked down portion 108 and a flanged top portion 110. Inthe operating mode actuating means 104 rotates releasable latch 100about pivot 98 thus removing a constraint to the passage of flange 110.After downward passage of flange 110, releasable latch 100 is returnedby gravitational forces so as to rest on point 106. Then, as the toilettank refills, and the energy cell travels upward, its flange 110 liftsreleasable latch 100 until flange l passes, after which releasable latch100 again returns to rest at point 106 where it once again will restrainpassage of flange 110.

In operation it is apparent that when the user elects to clear thetoilet bowl by discharge of the tank to the preset approximate waterlevel 44 he simply operates handle 22 and then trigger ring 80. Thiscauses lever to lift chain 18 thereby lifting flapper/ball l6 and thenlanyard 36 to operate adjustable retaining device 30, v

thus permitting energy cell 28 to descend and apply kinetic and staticforces to flapper/ball 16 so that it closes when water in the tank is atapproximate level 44. The attachment automatically resets itself as thetank refills. On the other hand, if it is desired to substantially emptythe tank to approximate water level 40 it is only necessary that handle22 be operated to lift lever 22 and chain 18 thereby moving flapper/ball16 to the open position. Energy cell 28 will be retained by adjustableretaining device 30 and the tank will accordingly discharge toapproximate water level 40.

Although use of the invention in conjunction with a conventional toiletsystem has been described, it is apparent that it may be used with otherliquid systems. It is also apparent that a plurality of energy cells andtheir guidance means may be so dimensioned that they may be spacedadjacent to a single valve. When each energy cell is individually presetto exert a different level of force on the valve, and separatetriggering means are provided, the user can then selectively commandthat the valve be automatically closed at any of the multiplepredetermined levels.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described indetail, it is contemplated that modifications of the apparatus andmethod may be made and some features may be employed without others, allwithin the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A water-saving attachment unit for a toilet having a water tank, anoutlet valve to discharge water from said tank and a mechanism foroperating said outlet valve to substantially empty the water from saidtank, comprising:

A. a tubular element adapted to be located in said tank adjacent saidoutlet valve;

B. a buoyant energy cell slidably mounted in said tubular element andadapted to close said outlet valve;

C. a retaining device mounted adjacent said tubular element to normallyprevent said buoyant energy cell from sliding within said tubularelement when said mechanism is operated to substantially empty the waterfrom said tank; and

D. a control mechanism connected to said retaining device forselectively releasing said retaining device to permit said buoyantenergy cell to slide within said tubular element and thereby prematurelyclose said outlet valve to effectuate only a partial emptying of thewater from said tank.

2. A water-saving attachment unit as defined in claim 1 wherein saidretaining device includes:

A. an opening in said tubular element;

B. a stop having one end pivotally mounted on said tubular element andthe other end adapted to extend through said opening to normally retainsaid buoyant energy cell in a nonengaged position with said outletvalve; and

C. said stop being arranged to automatically pivot to its retainingposition after said buoyant energy cell has floated past said other endof said stop.

3. A water-saving attachment unit as defined in claim 1 wherein saidcontrol mechanism includes:

A. a lanyard having one end thereof attached to said retaining deviceand the other end thereof extending to a point external of said tank andadjacent said mechanism; and

B. a ring attached to said other end of said lanyard. =l

1. A water-saving attachment unit for a toilet having a water tank, anoutlet valve to discharge water from said tank and a mechanism foroperating said outlet valve to substantially empty the water from saidtank, comprising: A. a tubular element adapted to be located in saidtank adjacent said outlet valve; B. a buoyant energy cell slidablymounted in said tubular element and adapted to close said outlet valve;C. a retaining device mounted adjacent said tubular element to normallyprevent said buoyant energy cell from sliding within said tubularelement when said mechanism is operated to substantially empty the waterfrom said tank; and D. a control mechanism connected to said retainingdevice for selectively releasing said retaining device to permit saidbuoyant energy cell to slide within said tubular element and therebyPrematurely close said outlet valve to effectuate only a partialemptying of the water from said tank.
 2. A water-saving attachment unitas defined in claim 1 wherein said retaining device includes: A. anopening in said tubular element; B. a stop having one end pivotallymounted on said tubular element and the other end adapted to extendthrough said opening to normally retain said buoyant energy cell in anonengaged position with said outlet valve; and C. said stop beingarranged to automatically pivot to its retaining position after saidbuoyant energy cell has floated past said other end of said stop.
 3. Awater-saving attachment unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said controlmechanism includes: A. a lanyard having one end thereof attached to saidretaining device and the other end thereof extending to a point externalof said tank and adjacent said mechanism; and B. a ring attached to saidother end of said lanyard.